One killed in clashes over World War monument in Estonia
{{date|April 27, 2007}}
[[Image:Tallinn Bronze Soldier - Protests - 26 April 2007 day - 015.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Protests on 26 April]]
[[Image:Tallinn Bronze Soldier - Protests - 26 April 2007 night - 026.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Photo from the protest last night.{{Image source|Leena Hietanen}}]]
[[Image:Tõnismäe monument 1999.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The [[w:Bronze Soldier of Tallinn|Bronze Soldier of Tallinn]].]]
One man was killed and  44 hurt in clashes between demonstrators and police in Tallinn, [[Estonia]] last night after authorities removed a controversial Soviet monument.

The [[w:Bronze Soldier of Tallinn|Bronze Soldier of Tallinn]] is seen as a reminder of Soviet occupation by Estonian nationalists, while veterans and Russian-speaking Estonians view the monument as a symbol of the liberation of Eastern [[Europe]] from [[w:Nazism|Nazism]]. Police special units were used to force away the pro-monument protesters, screaming "Disgrace to Estonia!". 

Police clashed with protesters during the night riots, some cars were burnt, and store front windows in the center of Tallinn were broken by the demonstrators.

[[Russia|Russian]] authorities, who often supported the monument as a symbol of victory over fascism, denounced Estonian police actions and the monument removal. [[w:Sergey Mironov|Sergey Mironov]], Russia's parliament speaker, threatened to break the diplomatic relations with Estonia.

According to Russian radio station [[w:Echo of Moscow|''Echo of Moscow'']] the number of casualties has increased to three.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/&articleid=306042
|title=Estonia removes Red Army statue after night riots
|author=David Mardiste
|pub=Mail & Guardian
|date=April 27, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11478174&PageNum=0
|title=Russia mulling steps against Estonia over WW2 monument
|author=
|pub=Itar-Tass
|date=April 27, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.localnewsleader.com/kindred/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=102900
|title=Clashes erupt at Soviet grave in Estonia
|author=Jari Tanner (AP)
|pub=Kindred Times
|date=April 27, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6598269.stm
|title=Estonia removes Soviet memorial
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=April 27, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=419145&lng=1
|title=Estonian clashes over communist monument
|author=
|pub=EuroNews
|date=April 27, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.echo.msk.ru/news/371954.html
|title=По неофициальным данным в Эстонии погибло уже трое человек
|author=
|pub=Echo of Moscow
|date=April 27, 2007}} {{Languageicon|ru|Russian}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Estonia]]
[[Category:Russia]]
[[Category:Europe]]

[[fr:Estonie : Le déplacement d'un mémorial provoque une émeute]]
Protests on 26 April
Photo from the protest last night.
Bronze Soldier of Tallinn.
One man was killed and  44 hurt in clashes between demonstrators and police in Tallinn, Estonia last night after authorities removed a controversial Soviet monument.

The Bronze Soldier of Tallinn is seen as a reminder of Soviet occupation by Estonian nationalists, while veterans and Russian-speaking Estonians view the monument as a symbol of the liberation of Eastern Europe from Nazism. Police special units were used to force away the pro-monument protesters, screaming "Disgrace to Estonia!". 

Police clashed with protesters during the night riots, some cars were burnt, and store front windows in the center of Tallinn were broken by the demonstrators.

Russian authorities, who often supported the monument as a symbol of victory over fascism, denounced Estonian police actions and the monument removal. Sergey Mironov, Russia's parliament speaker, threatened to break the diplomatic relations with Estonia.

According to Russian radio station Echo of Moscow the number of casualties has increased to three.

fr:Estonie : Le déplacement d'un mémorial provoque une émeute
Politics and conflicts Crime and law Estonia Russia Europe